2014 Oscar Nominated Shorts

This year in the Live Action Short category, all nominated films were from Europe. The nominated animated shorts featured films from around the world as well. With the animation, subtitles are often not needed as there is no dialogue. The music and the imagery completes a story that can be enjoyed universally.

Live Action:
Helium
Alfred is a dying boy and when Enzo the new janitor at the hospital arrives to clean his room, he begins telling Alfred stories about a magical land. When the boy is moved to an isolated wing, Enzo risks all to find Alfred and finish their stories of Helium. With wonderful visual effects, this short from Denmark is heartbreaking and very sweet.

The Voorman Problem
Martin Freeman, Bilbo Baggins in the Hobbit films, portrays an English psychiatrist who has been asked to evaluate a prisoner claiming to be a god. If Dr Williams certifies that he is insane, Voorman will be sent to an asylum. Sounds like an open and shut case, unless you're in Belgium. The shorts categories, particularly the live action and documentary, can be the most difficult of the Oscar winners to predict. The Voorman Problem has been and remains the frontrunner.

Avant Que De Tout Perdre (Just Before Losing Everything) 
This short is about a French woman trying to flee from her abusive husband with her two children. Most of the film occurs at her workplace as her co-workers try their best to assist her.

Aquel No Era Yo (That Wasn't Me)
The bleakest of all the live action shorts, the Spanish film flashes back on the horrors experienced by a child soldier in Africa. Extremely difficult to watch, I often had to look away and at times even muted the sound.

Pitääkö Mun Kaikki Hoitaa? (Do I Have to Take Care of Everything?)
A story of the antics and wacky obstacles a Finnish family faces as they attempt to get ready to attend a wedding.

Animated:
Mr Hublot
The title character is an eccentric little man who lives in a very mechanical world and keeps to himself. His home is disrupted by the arrival of a robot pet.

Feral
A boy raised in the wild is discovered by a hunter and brought back to civilization. The boy struggles to adapt to his new environment.

Possessions
A man seeking shelter from a storm stumbles upon a broken down shrine. Discarded objects that now have souls presents themselves to the man. By mending or setting the souls of the objects free he is able leave the shrine and the storm has passed.

Room on the Broom
A witch travelling through the woods encounters more and more critters that need to hitch a ride on her broom. Max Lang, one of the co-writers and directors, also co-wrote and directed The Gruffalo, a 2010 Best Animated Short nominee. The two shorts have a very similar animation style, as well as a similar narration technique. The two shorts actually seem like they could be part of a series. Simon Pegg narrates and Gillian Anderson voices the witch.

Get a Horse!
This short plays in theaters before Best Animated Feature frontrunner Frozen. The short uses archived Walt Disney voiceover work as Mickey Mouse and features Minnie, Horace Horsecollar, Clarabelle Cow and Peg-Leg Pete. Get a Horse! is the anticipated winner for the animated short category. It has also been lauded as the first time Mickey will finally win an Oscar.  It was not included with the other nominees that I watched. I would say that it was left out because it is Disney but animated Disney shorts have been included before. I was none too pleased. It does look like the in theater showings include Get a Horse!, perhaps that is the difference or that the feature film that it precedes is still in its initial release.

I have seen the trailers for all of the documentary short nominees and an extended section of the likely winner, The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life. It's about a beautiful 109 year old woman who survived the Holocaust and her thoughts on how to have a happy life.

The Shorts HD channel continues to provide information about viewing the short nominees each year. This is their site, though it is not always the most helpful. I visit the site throughout Oscar season and eventually find the info I need to see the films. For instance the site listed that the films would be available on iTunes, Amazon Instant View and OnDemand February 25th. At the time of posting, the site is experiencing technical difficulties. I stumbled upon the live action and animated nominees OnDemand on the 20th. The live action and animated films are more accessible in my area and I have not seen the documentary nominees in theaters nor are they available OnDemand currently. In the previous two years I saw the live and animation shorts in one showing at Century/Cinemark theaters. This year I opted for OnDemand due to less showtimes and impatience. Home viewing made it easier to keep track of each of the nominees; writing on a Milk Duds box in the dark does not lend itself to thorough notes. At the same time, watching in theaters gives it an official feeling.

Entertainers of the Year 2013

Better late than never...**UPDATED** below

Melissa McCarthy

With Identity Thief and the Heat in theaters and a small but memorable role in the Hangover III, McCarthy had the movie side of entertainment covered. She also continued to star on the sitcom Mike and Molly and hosted SNL for the second time. She hosted for the third time this past weekend, but that is of course part of 2014. McCarthy's star has been rising since her memorable role in Bridesmaids in 2011, for which she was nominated for an Oscar. Not a common feat in comedy. 

Sandra Bullock 

With the comedy the Heat and the drama of Gravity, Bullock had the full spectrum of movies covered in 2013. She received her star of the Hollywood Walk of Fame in November and was nominated for awards ranging in a Golden Globe, a SAG, an Oscar, a BAFTA and People's Choice and Teen's Choice Awards which she won. 

streaming

More popular than ever and with new platforms popping up constantly, streaming was winning in 2013. Redbox began streaming and Netflix began producing original and exclusive content. The often rumored and eagerly anticipated fourth season of Arrested Development debuted on Netflix. Hits House of Cards and Orange is the New Black were fan and critical favorites. It is an interesting thing to wrap your head around the idea of television shows that have never actually been broadcast being nominated for and winning major television awards like Emmys, Golden Globes and SAG Awards. Streaming allowed for the ever growing trend to binge or watch entire seasons of a television show in one sitting. To watch a movie online, it is almost daunting to select what outlet to use -- Amazon, Redbox, onDemand, Netflix or Hulu. We're spoiled too, there is a special form of frustration when you can not find something on one of the many platforms. 

**UPDATE**

Benedict Cumberbatch

Cumberbatch was in five of the biggest and/or most critically acclaimed films of 2013. And he stars in the BBC tv series Sherlock as the title character. He was Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness and Julian Assange in The Fifth Estate. I've recently fallen into a bad habit of calling him Benedict Humperdinck and I really must correct that stat. Emily loves him so much I'm sure she'll correct me. Cumberbatch appears in 12 Years A Slave as sympathetic as a slave owner can possibly be. He is sweet Little Charles in the estrogen powered August: Osage County. He is also Smaug in the second installment of the The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. I just keep seeing films or reading about pop culture and saying to myself, Benedict Cumberbatch really is in everything! He even voiced a role on the Simpsons in 2013. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for his work on Sherlock, for a SAG for the 12 Years A Slave ensemble, and for an Emmy for the miniseries Parade's End. At the BAFTA/LA Britannia Awards he won the Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year for Star Trek Into Darkness, 12 Years A Slave, The Fifth Estate, August: Osage County, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. It was a complete oversight to have not included him in my original post. 

Best Picture on a Budget

How to get the most bang for your buck while seeing a strong representation of the 2014 nominees.

These are my tips to see seven of the nine films nominated for Best Picture for less than $35 before Oscar Sunday, in the Portland Metro area. Concessions not included but tips for free treats are noted. Limited info about other areas is offered as well. Home viewing options should be fairly consistent across all markets.

Select Regal (R) theaters in the Portland area have reduced tickets prices for all showings on Tuesday. Tigard, Sherwood, Hilltop, Wilsonville and Movies on TV Regal locations charge $6.00 for any movie, at any time, all day on Tuesdays (3D charges would apply). Regal Evergreen charges $6.50 on Tuesdays for all showings. Get a Regal card while you are at it, you earn points for every dollar you spend at the box office and the concession stand. Even if you have a pass, you earn points. As you accumulate points, you will rotate between a free small popcorn, a free small soda and a free movie. You also get $2 popcorn on Tuesdays.

Cinemark/Century (C) theaters feature Early Bird rates. The first showtime of a movie at the Cedar Hills location is $6.50 all days of the week. The Clackamas Town Center and Eastport Plaza locations Early Bird rates are $6.75. If the first showtime for the day is after 6pm, the Early Bird rate does not apply -- that is why Her is not applicable to this deal this week. If free snacks are your focus, enroll in Cinemark's weekly coupon emails for often free or significantly reduced treats. You can like them on facebook for similar deals.

Beginning with home viewing options, the following is the breakdown of how to see seven of the nine movies nominated for 2014 Best Picture.

• Captain Phillips is currently at Red Box for a $1.29 one night rental. 
• If you go to redbox.com you can select $.50 off a second rental. Or, enroll in receiving text or email messages, you will receive additional discounts, most often for a free second rental the same night. 
• Nebraska is available on DVD Tuesday, February 25th, at Red Box $1.29. 
• OnDemand for $4.99 and Amazon instant video rental for $3.99 on February 25th. 
• Dallas Buyers Club is on DVD Tuesday, February 4th and will be available OnDemand for $4.99 and on Amazon instant video rental for $3.99. 
• Gravity is on DVD right before the Oscars on Tuesday, February 25th. 
• OnDemand for $4.99 and Amazon instant video rental for $3.99 on February 25th.
• No date at Red Box is available for Dallas Buyers Club or Gravity prior to the Oscar ceremony. 
• 12 Years A Slave (C) $6.50/6.75 any location current week, American Hustle (R/C) $6 current week at 4 Tues locations, Wolf of Wall Street (R/C) $6.50 current week.  

Using the lowest priced options, four of the Best Picture films would be viewed at home for $14.05.

Using the lowest priced showtime options, three of the Best Picture films would be viewed in theaters for $19. Grand total for seven of the nine Best Picture nominees: $33.05.

Home viewing:

All formats are standard DVD format, no Bluray or HD for cost savings. 

Amazon instant view incurs no additional membership costs to rent for existing members or new members that sign up for the free 30 day trial.  

6 of the Best Picture nominees are listed as coming soon to Red Box but with no specific dates, this means that they will be available after Oscar Sunday.

The $6 deals would work for Her and Philomena, just not with the current week's showtimes. It takes a little more planning ahead but you can see a majority of the Oscar nominees, or any first run movies, at great savings.

In other metropolitan areas, AMC Theaters offers their Best Picture Showcase. Over the course of two days you can see all nine nominated films for $60 ($30 for four movies on day one, $40 for five movies on day two if you only attend one day). You also earn a $5 gift card for concessions for each day that you attend. More info can be found here.

I think it is possible to see all nine of the movies nominated for Best Picture for $45, less than even the Showcase, and you can see them over the course of a couple of weeks, versus two days. With a gift card or a free pass, even less.

And how about those mobile devices. James Franco via Google play tells us how the heart, it's "a funny thing...it pines, it sinks, it soars...heart racers and heart stoppers...the heart just wants to feel. There are about 2 billion 500 million heart beats in a lifetime. You should feel every one of them." Robin Williams with iPad Air proclaims in Dead Poets Society quotes that we "are here - that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play *goes on* and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?" Both ads incorporate the imagery of their devices versatility and ability to play music, television, and of course movies. Having these devices is apparently going to lend itself to quite the full and accomplished life, a complete experience of the best emotions, bold achievements and the soundtrack and full media library to score it.
...Much like the Super Bowl, Oscar Sunday debuts some great ads. 

The Impossible

As a birthday treat for myself, I attended a showing of The Impossible at Cinetopia in one of their unique parlor room theaters. I enjoyed an oatmeal stout, a turkey club sandwich on ciabatta bread with fries and a diet coke, in the comfort of an armchair next to a fireplace. It was heavenly. The comforts of the experience were in stark contrast to the events of the movie I was there to see. The real story of a family during the 2004 tsunami is emotionally wrought and beautifully told. I cried through most of the movie. It was a rewarding viewing, not one of those views that drains you and you feel as though you have merely endured, not enjoyed. In watching an interview with Ewan McGregor with Dave Karger, I recent found out that in one of McGregor's most emotional scenes, he was acting with actual survivors of the tsunami.

Naomi Watts is nominated for Best Actress in the movie and Ewan McGregor would have been equally deserving. The effects for the recreation of the event of the movie are not over the top and evoke emotions not usually felt when watching computer generated scenes. It could be knowing it actually happened but I think much is owed to the technical merits of the film.

In one brief scene, I recognized an actress as the same woman who played Aunt Glady in one of my all time favorite movies, Home for the Holidays (1995). Confirming this detail also led to the realization that the actress, Geraldine Chaplin, is indeed the daughter of Charlie Chaplin. Robert Downey Jr portrayed Chaplin in 1992 and Geraldine appeared in the film before working with Downey again in Home for the Holidays.

Madagascar 3

The third film in the Madagascar franchise was special to me for one big reason. It was the first movie that my best friend's three year old daughter attended in theaters. Since this child was a mere babe I have expressed how the first theater movie is a milestone that I must be present for. I was honored to be part of the event. And it was an event!

We watched the movie at good old Oak Grove 8 in Milwaukie. A place where Laura and I saw many a movie as kids. The original Star Wars on the big screen for the first time, Wedding Singer, Toy Story. My strongest memory at Oak Grove 8 is a post school one but it still makes me smile. My sister and I saw Anchorman there and I think we almost laughed the walls down during the fight scene. Saw Julia's first movie in that same theater. They have great rates and concession prices -- cash only, though their website does not specify payment type.

I do not know if it was seeing the movie through a child's eyes or just the fun and nostalgia of the activity but the movie was surprisingly funny and enjoyable. I had watched the first Madagascar (2005) movie at home but did not feel strongly one way or the other about it. I have not seen the sequel, Escape 2 Africa (2008) but this year's Europe's Most Wanted was very fun. I laughed out loud frequently. I now understand why I kept seeing Ben Stiller and Chris Rock on the talk show circuit, with good reason.

Next up, Ted and Magic Mike. Slowly but surely catching up on my summer movies.

Peace, Love and Misunderstanding

This is the first time that I have watched a same day as theaters IFC film onDemand. It was a fun experience. Not the best movie but I am glad I took a chance on the feature.

Catherine Keener's husband, Kyle McLachlan, asks his lawyer wife for a divorce in the opening scene of the film. Diane, Keener's character, takes her children, played by Elizabeth Olsen and Nat Wolffe, to her mother's. Her mother Diane is portrayed by the lifeforce that is Jane Fonda. Fonda's character is the hippie of all hippies. They say Dylan had a thing for her.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Chace Crawford, Roxana Arquette, Maddie Corman and Katharine McFee round out a solid supporting cast.

I could not help but think, this is a weak stab at the next version of On Golden Pond. Now Jane Fonda is the grandparent. And in the first eight minutes, there is a that's what she said joke. Not a noteworthy movie but fun to play with the onDemand option and watch something that would usually require a visit to Fox Tower or a wait for DVD.

My official Oscar predictions 2012

I reserve the right to change my mind on the Best Actor category Sunday before the Awards show starts. In the mean time, I have done my homework, I have listened to songs and scores, I have seen the movies and shorts, and I have watched the trailers of the films in limbo that are not available for me to watch. Hugo has 11 nominations and will win three. The Artist will win at least five of its 10 nominations including Best Picture and Best Director. Some folks express disdain for the predictability of the Oscars. This is not something I experience. I make it my goal each year to be better at predicting and it never seems like a done deal to me. When I start getting 24 out of 24 right on my ballot, more than once to rule out a fluke hole in one, than I may consider the Academy Awards ceremony too predictable. Even then, you never know what people are going to say, what the host is going to do and very significantly, what the fashions will be! This year's show is in the steady hands of veteran nine time host Billy Crystal.

The second scanned ballot is how I would vote, what I think deserves to win. It is really gratifying to fill a ballot out in that way. Voting for predictions of who is likely to win is very different than selecting what films you think and feel deserve to win. I changed my mind about Best Documentary Short and neglected to remove one of the votes in that category. My choice would be for God is the Bigger Elvis. Five of my how I would vote if I were in the Academy selections, are predicted winners -- out of 24. I think I have a good shot at correctly predicting 21/24 right on Sunday. That would be a personal best. 

Midnight in Paris

As the first scene or two unfolded I became concerned, was this going to be an overly talkie movie with unlikeable characters with dialogue that does not remotely reflect reality? Luckily the plot started off and the movie became enchanting and excellent. I can not wait to re-watch at home and google all the referenced artists and writers from the 1920s that I may not have caught on first viewing. Owen Wilson is stellar though one warning, the usually likable Rachel McAdams, is not in this film. I still like her because she is fabulous, her character just is not.
As Midnight in Paris is Woody Allen's highest grossing picture to date and the movie has been well reviewed, some Oscar attention seems fairly definite.

Seeing this movie was an experience thanks to the Parlor Room at Cinetopia Progress Ridge. Jennica and I arrived early and were first to the theater. We took the opportunity to try out every seat and each of the four rows in the space. The room has framed LED screens that tie into the movie currently playing. The screens featured the Eiffel Tower flashing between day and night, a Paris street scene, and works of Monet and Picasso. Before the movie began, the main screen alternated between a poster shot of Owen Wilson in a Van Gogh like stroll through Paris at night and old Woody Allen trailers. The room also has a fireplace and being as it is brand new smelled like new upholstery. The trays with cup-holders were built into the armchairs we sat in. Primo-lux movie viewing. I am so glad that my first experience there was with Jennica. I went with her to my first and all but one of the movies I saw at the original Vancouver Cinetopia.

Singin' in the Rain at the Venetian

Last Friday night, the movie night girls took a field trip to Hillsboro to see Singin' in the Rain. The Venetian's website encourages costumes for their summer classic movie series. All in all the whole experience was a good one, however, the man working the ticket booth grouchily told us to put our umbrellas down. Laura had the perfect polite retort, "We were following instructions." And she was the one who found the ponchos, decorated them and presented each of us with personalized mister bottles.

Inside, the man at the concessions was much more cheerful. Much more in keeping of what the true mood of the place should be. He even took a picture of three people in the group with his iPhone! The location is beautiful and very fitting for enjoying a classic film. We seized the opportunity to sit in the balcony. There was an interesting odor but it became less potent or I just got used to it. Food can be ordered from the bistro and there is beer and wine. If in the balcony, alcohol is not allowed and you have to go downstairs to pick up your food. In the main theater seating, food is delivered to you.

I have been lucky enough to experience movies in some very fun ways this summer. I hope that movie night can make another field trip this month to Flicks at the Bricks.

Marla and Marie had not seen Singin' in the Rain before and very much enjoyed it. Sarah, Laura and I enjoyed it again. Such a great musical (there is a purpose for their singing) and as someone pointed out after, it remains one of the best movies about Hollywood.

Cinetopia

A large part of why my experience seeing Harry Potter was so magical, was because of the location. If you have never been to a Cinetopia, treat yourself. The Vancouver location is great, way beyond the typical multiplex. The new location in Beaverton, is even more beyond amazing. In the ultra Living Room theater, servers walk down the aisles taking your order. Standard movie theater fare, popcorn, soda and treats like cheesecake and bottles of wine.

There is art, the Batman piece was my favorite. It was the most movie themed item. There are also multiple seating areas including a living room with fireplace. The outside glows with a stain glass look and water features. All this luxury does come at a price but it is a dream for this movie lover. 

Flicks on the Bricks 2011

Every summer in Portland for five Fridays, you can watch movies at Pioneer Square. The event starts at dusk and the first 2,000 guests receive free popcorn. Other food and beverage vendors are also at the event. Blankets, low back chairs and bean bags are the recommended seating.

Here is this year's schedule:

July 22nd Top Gun
July 29th Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade
August 5th Westside Story
August 12th Despicable Me
August 19th Stand By Me

The Pioneer Square site does not have too many details, but it is the official source for the schedule each summer.

I have never attended but maybe this will be the year. After seeing Super 8, Stand By Me sounds great.

theater experience

The topic seems to be a common one. It is worth it to go to the movies, or is the home experience just as good, or better? I for one feel that there is something intrinsic about the movies that some films are just meant to be experienced at the theater. Key word: EXPERIENCED. Others, may be best enjoyed at home with a savings in cost.

Theater owners are meeting this week in Vegas for their industry convention. With declining ticket sales and attendance, theater owners are scrambling for ideas to revitalize the movie goers options.

Food and drink seems to be the focus this year. I for one, would enjoy the option of a cocktail in theaters. Surprisingly, the major chains are considering more upscale options, with a minimal increase in cost, $2-4 per ticket. In the Portland Metro area we have had for several years the option at Cinetopia. Their website includes info that in addition to the original Vancouver location, a Beaverton and second Vancouver location are to be opened in June and November of 2011 respectively. While I enjoy their Living Room theater experience (mainly the large, roomy armchair like seat with footrest and tray) the additional cost does make me choose carefully which movies I am willing to spend the extra change on. Frankly, since Jennica moved to Milton-Freewater, I have only been to Cinetopia once. It was for a 3-D showing of Avatar over a year ago. Do note, that they take 3-D very seriously at Cinetopia. My observation is that the gap between regular concession fair and the gourmet options is significant. While the typical concession items are primo, I have not been able to enjoy a cocktail. Similar to a point made in a recent Entertainment Weekly print article on the topic, I am concerned about movies being constantly interrupted for those requiring wait staff service. I like the limitation that once the movie starts, no more orders can be placed.

Check out the article on the owners convention here: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/crazy-ways-theaters-are-luring-171683. Landmark theater owner wants to check out the competition at Cinetopia.

EW does not seem to have archived their article, though I did find the clever artwork (above). They also featured approximately ten theaters around the country with varying food options and perks. Portland's downtown Living Room multiplex was included and the Seattle location made me want to drive three hours just to see a movie there. Not bad NW! Seems to me about seven years ago EW did a similar article. That one featured Kennedy School and put it in my head that if I made it to Austin, I would visit the theater highlighted.

Shout out to all the alternate options in P-town. Those previously mentioned, the various McMenamins theaters and Laurelhurst theater. Also, Valley Theater on Beaverton-Hillsdale is McMenamins-esk. Beer and pizza are available, no art.

Life As We Know It

The great thing about the home viewing of flicks, is the re-set in expectations. I was originally very excited about seeing this movie but for one reason or another did not make it to my local multiplex. When Life As We Know It was in theaters this fall, I heard mixed reviews. To my recollection it did not do super-well at the box office. Available via Netflix for the first time this week, I was excited to watch it this afternoon. I thought it was very well done. Very funny and heartfelt, it was well plotted. I couldn't help but wonder, did the manner in which I watched it make all the difference in my enjoyable viewing experience? The onslaught of previews and clips on talk shows that is standard practice for the marketing of all major movie releases, often does the movies a disservice. While home viewing has much less of a delay than back in the VHS era, the time between theatrical release and OnDemand/DVD/Redbox/Netflix, certainly helps. In this case, I was entertained.

Great Oak Film Festival

Friday June 18th, I was lucky enough to attend the Great Oaks Film Festival -- Short Films Under the Stars. I was lucky, because this is an invitation only event in Walla Walla. One of the two couples that host the event, are clients at the vet clinic where Jennica works.

The first movie was Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty. A very funny twist on the fairy tale, Granny tell the little girl a bed time story. The "evil" fairy is not so much evil, as just offended to have not been invited to the party because of her age. Animated and excellent visually.

De Beste Gar Forst (United We Stand) is a cute film about a group of octogenarians on their annual hiking trip. A pretty young woman is found, stuck in mud calling for help. Each of the men assist her out of the mud, and then are stuck themselves. Singing and jovial up to the minute of their demises.

The protagonist in Beats Per Minute is a young man from Europe who loves to dance. He receives his big break, a call from Hollywood.

Probably the zaniest and funniest of the shorts, Istallet for Abrakadabra (Instead of Abracadabra) is about a young man who still lives at home, who does magic. His mom is supportive (to the point of injury) and his father has had enough.

The Moon and the Son is animated and deals with the film maker's grief and difficult relationship with his father. His father had ties to the mob and spent time in jail during his son's childhood.

There was a technical difficulty with the subtitles for 7:35 De La Manana (7:35 in the Morning). It was announced that this film would be played at July's festival.

With people who resemble mannequins, Fits and Starts is wacky and fun. A couple drinks orange soda on a couch.

There were delicious drinks and yummy dishes. The hosts provide a drink (lemon basil vodka gimlets) and an entree (homemade sausages) and the guests bring wine, side-dishes, deserts and appetizers. SO good!

Any one know of any other events like this? Please invite me! Flicks on the Bricks, Ferris Bueller's Day Off is July 23rd at 7pm.